In the context of IT support, “doing backfill” can have two main interpretations:

Filling a Staffing Gap: This is the most common meaning. Backfilling refers to the process of finding a temporary replacement for an IT support staff member who is unavailable. This could be due to various reasons like:

Vacation: When a key staff member takes a leave of absence, backfilling ensures ongoing support for clients.

Sickness: If a staff member gets sick and needs time off, backfill ensures critical tasks are not neglected.

Promotion or Job Change: When a valued team member gets promoted or leaves the company, backfilling helps maintain smooth operations while searching for a permanent replacement.

Here’s a table summarizing the two meanings: